President Holley joins the DRIVE Acceleration Team

Governor Healey’s Discovery, Research, Innovation for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE) Initiative aims to grow Massachusetts’ world-renowned research and innovation economy and create thousands of jobs. On Aug. 1, she signed an executive order to create the DRIVE Acceleration Team. President Danielle R. Holley will join the Acceleration Team.

The team will explore ways to strengthen Massachusetts’ research and innovation sector, which employs tens of thousands of people in education, health care, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. It also supports jobs in construction, food services, retail, transportation and more. The team will evaluate opportunities to bolster the sector, such as proposing new funding structures to finance research projects and developing public-private partnerships across industries to improve its resilience.

“People around the world rely on the cures and scientific advancements that come from Massachusetts researchers,” said Governor Healey HD’25. “Not only is our work critical to global health, but it is the … lifeblood of our economy. The work of this group and my recently filed DRIVE legislation will allow Massachusetts to preserve jobs, strengthen our economy and continue to be a global leader in innovation.”

“Mount Holyoke College is renowned as an undergraduate research institution and is also a top college for women who go on to earn doctorates in STEM fields,” said President Holley. “In this spirit of innovation and inquiry, I am honored to join the DRIVE Acceleration Team. My colleagues and I will undertake critical work to ensure Massachusetts continues to center opportunity and progress.”

Governor Healey’s Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey chairs the team, which includes leaders from the science research sector, higher education, labor and business groups and philanthropists.